Shirali Muslimov | |
---|---|
Shirali Muslimov in 1970
|
|
Born |
Shirali Muslimov March 26, 1805 (alleged, disputed) Barzavu, Talysh Khanate, Persian Empire (nowadays part of Azerbaijan) |
Died |
(aged 168 years, 160 days) Barzavu, Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics |
September 2, 1973
Cause of death | Pneumonia |
Nationality | Azerbaijani, Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic (currently Azerbaijan Republic) |
Occupation | Shepherd |
Known for | Oldest Person/Man Ever (alleged, disputed) |
Children | One daughter |
Shirali Farzali Muslimov (also Mislimov) (Azerbaijani: Şirəli Fərzəli oğlu Müslümov, pronounced [ʃiɾæˈli mysˈlymov]; Russian: Ширали Фарзали оглы Муслимов; (allegedly March 26, 1805 – September 2, 1973) was an Azerbaijanishepherd with Talysh ethnicity from the village of Barzavu in the Lerik region of Azerbaijan, a mountainous area near the Iranian border. He claimed to be the oldest person who ever lived when he died on September 2, 1973 at the alleged age of 168. This is 46 years older than French woman Jeanne Calment, who lived 122 years.
According to legend, Muslimov worked hard every day, up to 167 years, did not smoke or drink, but ate fruits, vegetables, wholemeal bread, chicken broth, low-fat cheese and yogurt. He had several wives through his lifetime. Muslimov became ill with pneumonia between 1972 and 1973, but survived only to die later in 1973.
Muslimov's story was picked up in 1973 by National Geographic Magazine, which told that on the occasion he still rode horseback and tended an orchard planted in the 1870s. National Geographic later recanted on the claim. The same story was told by the Guinness Book of World Records, stated as unconfirmed along with other similar claims.
His marital status was also controversial. According to National Geographic, he had a 120-year-old wife whom he had married 102 years earlier. However according to his obituary, published by Time magazine, he was survived by his 107-year-old third wife. According to another claim, at the purported age of 136 he married and had a daughter.
The only evidence in favor of Muslimov's age claim is an official passport that listed his birthdate. Muslimov had no known birth certificate.